Alstroemeria plant named &#39;Tara&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named ‘Tara’ characterized by growth height of 10-30 cm under greenhouse conditions; suitable for any pot size over 7 cm.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

[0001] Genus: Alstroemeria; Species unknown

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] ‘Tara’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofAlstroemeria plant, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Tara’.

[0004] ‘Tara’ originated from a hybridization made in a controlledbreeding program in Chichester in Sussex, United Kingdom by the inventorRobert Adrian Goemans. The female parent is an unknown cultivar ofunknown origin (unpatented). The male parent of ‘Tara’ is a selection ofthe cultivar ‘Butterfly’.

[0005] ‘Tara’ was discovered and selected as one flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated parentage by Robert Adrian Goemans in 1997 ina controlled environment in Chichester, United Kingdom. The first act ofasexual reproduction of ‘Tara’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere taken from the initial selection in May, 1999 in a controlledenvironment in Chichester, United Kingdom. Horticultural examination ofselected units initiated in 1999 has demonstrated that the combinationof characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘Tara’ are firmly fixed andretained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

[0006] ‘Tara’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, withoutany change in genotype. The following observations, measurements andcomparisons describe plants grown in Chichester, Sussex, United Kingdomunder greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be basic characteristics of which in combinationdistinguish this Alstroemeria as a new and distinct cultivar:

[0008] 1. Growth height 10-30 cm under greenhouse conditions; suitablefor any pot size over 7 cm.

[0009] There are no commercial cultivars known to the present inventor,similar in comparison to ‘Tara’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical specimen ofthe new variety with colors as accurate as possible.

[0011] The photographic drawing shows the flowers and foliage of ‘Tara’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS). The color values weredetermined in the afternoon of Sep. 16, 2000 under normal daylightconditions in Wateringen, The Netherlands.

[0013] Classification:

[0014]Botanical.—Alstroemeria.

[0015]Commercial.—Alstroemeria cv. Tara.

[0016] Plant:

[0017]Form.—Pot Plant.

[0018]Height.—10-30 cm (Dutch greenhouse conditions).

[0019]Growth.—Bushy-dwarf growth habit.

[0020]Foliage.—Quantity: 10-20 leaves on each centimeter of stem,depending on growth stage Size of leaf: Length: 70-90 mm; width: 30-35mm Shape of leaf: Oblong-ovate Color: Upper side is dark green, RHS 137A to RHS 137 B underside is light-green, RHS 137 C.

[0021]Rhizomes.—Color: White, RHS 158 A to RHS 158 D Size: Length 10-50mm; diameter 6-15 mm, depending on age.

INFLORESCENCE

[0022] Bud:

[0023]Form.—Tubular pointed.

[0024]Diameter.—10-20 mm.

[0025]Length.—15-25 mm.

[0026]Peduncle.—20-25 mm, medium-green RHS 145 A.

[0027]Color.—Red, RHS 46A to RHS 46 B.

[0028]Flower.—Size: Medium, length: 40-60 mm; width: 40-60 mm Borne:Medium number of branches in umbel Shape: Broad obovate

[0029]Color.—Upper surface: Red, RHS 47 A to RHS 47 D Under surface:Yellow at base, RHS 13 A to RHS 13 D Markings: Black stripes on allpetals, RHS 202A.

[0030]Peduncle.—Length: 40-50 mm Color: Medium-green, RHS 145 A.

[0031]Lasting quality.—4-6 weeks.

[0032] Reproductive Organs:

[0033]Stamens.—6.

[0034]Anthers.—Yellow RHS 13 A.

[0035]Filaments.—Red RHS 50 A to RHS 50 B.

[0036]Pistils.—1, color red-pink, RHS 50 B to RHS 50 C.

[0037]Stigma.—Color pink-white, RHS 56 A to RHS 56 C.

1. I claim a new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named‘Tara’, as described and illustrated herein.